Daily
Roanoke
Friday, April 24th, 2026
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 24th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Residents will celebrate 60 years of Smith Mountain Lake with a land and water cleanup set for Saturday, Apr. 25 at the lake (organized by local volunteers) and invite community members to help preserve the treasured area. WDBJ7
- ➤ Local group TAP (for short) launched a $20,000 crowdfunding campaign to add two licensed therapists to its Superhero Kids Counseling Program for children who have faced violence. The program, which has served local families for over six decades, aims to boost its capacity for youth mental health support. WFIR News
- ➤ Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges is preparing for its huge 2026 season, with plans to offer expanded activities + community events starting this summer. Local organizers will share more details soon. WDBJ7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke local artists are opening their studios for the annual Open Studios Tour. The event (spanning multiple venues) offers community members a chance to view creative spaces and connect with creators. WDBJ7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Virginia state-funded preschools met half of early education benchmarks per a recent report but fell short on teacher training; Roanoke City Public Schools will reserve pre-K 3 spots for students with significant needs as parents express concerns. WDBJ7
- ➤ Franklin County sixth graders at Benjamin Franklin Middle School begin their annual Creek Week by studying Powder Mill Creek's water quality in an outdoor classroom. The program partners with local agencies (including the Western Virginia Water Authority) to teach hands on science that connects classroom learning to real-world care. WDBJ7
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ Since Monday, a merger between Member One and Virginia Credit Unions caused account issues that left veteran Robert Smith unable to access Social Security funds needed for bills. The credit union is working to resolve card activation and online banking delays & assist members with mailing problems. WDBJ7
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Virginia lawmakers passed bills to help with rising costs in taxes, housing, healthcare, wages and energy, though experts say reforms like the car tax delay and new drug cost board will not lower bills until later — savings remain modest. ABC 13
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Doctors are using specialized AI chatbots to update research and draft patient records (privacy concerns noted). In a trial, a personalized pancreatic cancer vaccine produced an immune response in eight of 16 patients, with seven still alive six years after treatment. WDBJ7
- ➤ National Prescription Drug Take Back Day occurs tomorrow, and health experts advise Roanoke residents to check medication labels for expiration dates and dispose of unused drugs safely by using designated take-back sites or mixing them with coffee grounds (per a Cleveland Clinic family physician). WSLS 10
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Hometown Eats Special: April 2026 highlights updated menus and events from local eateries — Family Tree-Ts, Chef’s Drive-In, Peace of Pie Pizzeria, Salem Ridge Yaks, and Wolf’s Den Billiards are set to spark interest among food fans this month. WDBJ7
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Rail Yard Dawgs ended their season with 35 wins + a SPHL semi-final appearance after a four to one loss to the Thunderbolts. The teams traded penalties and empty netters in a game full of fast action. WDBJ7
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Roanoke Valley Holistic Expo
10 AM – 5 PM — Salem Civic Center — Free admission — Experience a day of holistic discovery with inspiring vendors and wellness activities.
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Swan Lake
7-10 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the world’s most iconic ballet brought to life by a cast of international dancers in a stunning performance.
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2026 Community School Strawberry Festival
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. & 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Elmwood Park — Free entry — Enjoy delicious strawberry shortcakes and local music amidst artisan vendors.
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Explore & Pour Festival
11 AM – 4 PM — Explore Park — $25 for wine tastings — Enjoy a full day of wine, live music from Latin Heat, and local artisan shopping in a scenic setting.
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Coppélia Performance
3-6 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the whimsical ballet where toys come to life in a magical toyshop.
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The Shoobies Live
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Parkway Brewing Company — Free entry — Experience live music in a vibrant brewery setting with rotating food trucks.
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The Darkside Experience - Pink Floyd Tribute
6:00 – 9:30 PM — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Cost info not provided — Experience an authentic tribute to classic Pink Floyd that feels just like being there.
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Black Label Society Concert
7-10:30 p.m. — Salem Civic Center — Tickets from $33.75 — Experience the electrifying heavy metal sounds of Black Label Society alongside Zakk Sabbath and Dark Chapel.
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Hands-On Process Improvement Workshop for Spanish Speakers
8 AM – 12 PM — Virginia Western Community College — $275 — Engage in a hands-on workshop to learn effective process improvement techniques through interactive simulations.
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Leonard Blush and the Camelcals Live
5:30-9:30 p.m. — Parkway Brewing Company — Check event page for pricing — Enjoy an energetic blend of rock and roll and country with Leonard Blush and the Camelcals.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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